Hi JJ,I used the universal mast float from Hobie. The instructions were not at all clear! The mast stepper II comes with:1. The float (which is quite large).2. A rod that is attached to the mast by drilling holes in the mast and using rivets to attach. The rod sticks up above the mast and the float attaches to the rod.3. The package comes with a few rivets and a couple of brackets to clamp the rod to the mast.

It didn't end up being that hard except for all the time it took to figure out what to do.

I attached the rod to the side of the mast which makes the float off center. So it looks a little strange... Not sure if it has much of an affect on handling/performance.

If you are interested I can post a photo in a week or so.

I didn't really understand the thread you posted about raising the mast, though it seemed overly complicated and the poster didn't seem to think it was a good solution.

Though I didn't mention it in my original post, I would like to be able to raise the mast just by myself without any help.

get the cat on the ground with beach wheels under rear beam lay mast on step ladder and connect at ball put the pin in connect shrouds traps and have a line ready to draw tight from forstay to bridle get under mast on tramp and just shove it up draw forstay holding line tight to bridle and tie or cleat it off somewhere then jump off and complete forstay attachment.................it really is simple after the first time!a few minutes more with the spin but worth it for the xtra fun

OR............................. if you really must do it on the trailer...........have the cat backwards on the trailer and use the mast support at the front of trailer to connect mast to ball.............then just shove it up!Loved my FX 1..............was so much fun!!!